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☆ Beware a Chinese Fall Stall
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( Nathaniel Taplin | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

A construction site by Country Garden in Tianjin, China. The developer is now fighting for survival. Photo: TINGSHU WANG/REUTERSIn July, when worries about China’s economic recovery were first beginning to percolate more widely, analysts fixated on a curious bit of language from the Politburo: the recovery was developing in a winding, “wave-like” manner. Nearly half a year later, that characterization is looking more and more apt.

Persons: TINGSHU WANG Organizations: Garden, REUTERS Locations: Tianjin, China

Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng attends a joint press conference following the 10th China-EU High-Level Economic and Trade Dialogue at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, China September 25, 2023. He, 68, replaced internationally respected Liu He as one of China's four vice premiers during its annual parliament session in March. The full scope of his portfolio had been largely unclear until Sunday when state media referred to him as the director of a powerful Communist Party economic body. "He Lifeng mainly implements policies from the top leader," said a policy adviser who spoke on condition of anonymity, referring to Xi. "Now under the leadership of the Party ... there will be closer cooperation among the top economic planner, central bank and the finance ministry."

Persons: Lifeng, Florence, Xi Jinping's, Liu, Xi, Liu He, Li Keqiang, Peng Liyuan, Kevin Yao, Laurie Chen, Joe Cash, Ellen Zhang, Marius Zaharia Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Communist Party, Central Financial Commission, Harvard, Investors, State Council, Party, Xiamen University, National Development, Reform Commission, Thomson Locations: China, EU, Diaoyutai, Beijing, Rights BEIJING, China's, Washington, Europe, Quanzhou, Fujian, Xiamen, Tianjin, Lincoln

☆ Haze lingers in Beijing as fog blankets parts of north China
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/4] Vehicles move on a street in Beijing's Central Business District (CBD) as the city is shrouded in smog, in China November 1, 2023. REUTER/Tingshu Wang Acquire Licensing RightsBEIJING, Nov 1 (Reuters) - Hazy weather hung over Beijing on Wednesday with conditions in other parts of north China possibly worsening, forecasters said, although cold air sweeping in from the northwest is expected to help dissipate the smog. Experts attributed the haze in Beijing, which has lasted for several days, to poor atmospheric diffusion because of unseasonably weak cold air currents from the north. Visibility in most parts of Beijing dropped to less than 500 metres (546 yards), the China Meteorological Administration said. But from Thursday night, cold air is expected to push temperatures lower, possibly to new lows.

Persons: REUTER, Tingshu Wang, Gao, We're, Liu, Liz Lee, Ethan Wang, Xiaoyu Yin, Robert Birsel Organizations: Business, Rights, Beijing, China Meteorological Administration, Thomson Locations: China, Rights BEIJING, Beijing, Hebei province, Tianjin, Hebei, Jinan, Zhengzhou, Shijiazhuang

☆ China's smog-covered north on highest pollution alert as visibility drops
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( Liz Lee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Northern province Hebei launched an anti-pollution emergency response, listing traffic safety controls for when necessary including suspending flight takeoffs and landings, temporarily closing highways and suspending ferries, China's meteorological bureau said in a notice. Authorities also warned road users to stop in safe parking areas when conditions required and asked people to stay indoors. Beijing said it would implement traffic control measures if the capital activates its highest air pollution warning. Experts said weak cold air currents from the north pole were a key factor behind the unusual weather. Cold air currents are forecast to stream in the north from Thursday night, creating conditions that could weaken and dissipate the haze, the weather forecaster said.

Persons: Liz Lee, Jamie Freed Organizations: Authorities, National Meteorological Center, NMC, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, China, Northern, Hebei, Beijing, Tianjin, Henan province, Shandong, Jiangsu province, China's, Shanghai

The U.K.-headquartered bank, which earns most of its revenue in Asia, booked July-September statutory pretax profit of $633 million. That compared with $996 million a year earlier and the $1.41 billion average of 16 analyst estimates compiled by the bank. China Bohai booked a 17.8% fall in January-June net interest income, leading to a nearly 7% decline in its overall profit, according to company filings. StanChart's Chinese real estate exposure totalled $2.7 billion, down $200 million from the previous quarter. StanChart has recently had "no contact" with FAB, Chief Financial Officer Andy Halford told reporters on a conference call on Thursday.

Persons: Peter Nicholls, StanChart, China Bohai, Andy Halford, Jefferies, Joe Dickerson, Dickerson, Selena Li, Lawrence White, Christopher Cushing Organizations: Chartered, REUTERS, Bank, Bohai, China Bohai Bank, HK, Abu Dhabi Bank, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, Bohai Bank, China, HONG KONG, China Bohai, Russia, Ukraine, Asia, Tianjin, StanChart

☆ Exclusive: China's cabinet curbs debt growth in 12 "high risk" regions - sources
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

The sources were citing a cabinet document dated late September that was delivered to local governments and state lenders this month. The move by China's cabinet, or the State Council, to contain local government debt has not been previously reported. HIGH-RISK REGIONSThe 12 regions were previously identified as areas with "high risks" of defaulting on debt obligations. The massive piles of debt highlights local governments' financial stress, fuelling concerns of a systemic financial crisis. The bond issuance is widely believed to be part of Beijing's measures to defuse debt risks of LGFVs.

Persons: Tyrone Siu, Don Durfee, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: REUTERS, Tyrone, Rights, State Council, Council, LGFVs, Communist Party, Reuters, Beijing, Thomson Locations: Central, Hong Kong, China, Rights BEIJING, Liaoning, Jilin, North Korea, Guizhou, Yunnan, Tianjin, Chongqing

☆ Chinese firms backed by global banks found using leopards and pangolins parts, says environmental group
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-23 | by ( Michelle Toh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Hong Kong CNN —Three top Chinese pharmaceutical companies, which are backed by top global banks, are using endangered animal parts in their medicines, according to an investigation by an environmental protection group. Among them are three publicly listed traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) giants: Beijing Tong Ren Tang, Tianjin Pharmaceutical and Jilin Aodong Medicine. The EIA said it had found at least nine “products stated to contain leopard and/ or pangolin” that were manufactured by the firms. CNN has reached out to Tong Ren Tang, Tianjin Pharmaceutical and Jilin Aodong for comment. Tong Ren Tang, founded in 1669, is one of China’s most storied brands.

Persons: Beijing Tong Ren Tang, Avinash, Tong Ren Tang, ”, “ It’s, ” Basker, pangolins, Sakchai Lalit Organizations: Hong Kong CNN —, Environmental Investigation Agency, Tianjin Pharmaceutical, Jilin Aodong Medicine, EIA, CNN, TCM, Fortune, BlackRock, Citigroup, HSBC, Citi, IUCN SSC Pangolin Locations: China, Hong Kong, Beijing, Tianjin, Jilin, Bangkok

☆ Three Listed Chinese Firms Used Endangered Animal Parts as Ingredients Report
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-22 | by ( Oct. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

In a report published Monday, the London-based Environmental Investigation Agency urged global investors in the three firms - Beijing Tong Ren Tang group, Tianjin Pharmaceutical group and Jilin Aodong Pharmaceutical Group - to divest their stakes. The group said it focused on the pharmaceutical companies because they are publicly listed, and display products that include leopard or pangolin parts on their websites. Beijing Tong Ren Tang and Tianjin Pharmaceutical group did not respond to several emails and calls from Reuters asking for comment. Jilin Aodong Pharmaceutical Group could not be reached for comment. The environmental group said Deutsche Bank, HSBC Holdings, Citigroup and BlackRock did not respond to its queries.

Persons: Andrew Silver, Selena Li SHANGHAI, Beijing Tong Ren Tang, Avinash Basker, Wells, China's, Selena Li, Miyoung Kim, Miral Organizations: Reuters, UBS, HSBC, Environmental Investigation Agency, Tianjin Pharmaceutical, Jilin Aodong Pharmaceutical, TCM, Deutsche Bank, HSBC Holdings, Citigroup, Co, HSBC Global Asset Management Canada, Royal Bank of Canada, BlackRock, Citigroup ， Deutsche Bank, Medical Products Administration, Protection Locations: HONG KONG, London, Beijing, Tianjin, Jilin, BlackRock, Shanghai, Hong Kong

In a report published Monday, the London-based Environmental Investigation Agency urged global investors in the three firms - Beijing Tong Ren Tang group (600085.SS), Tianjin Pharmaceutical group (600329.SS) and Jilin Aodong Pharmaceutical Group (000623.SZ) - to divest their stakes. The group said it focused on the pharmaceutical companies because they are publicly listed, and display products that include leopard or pangolin parts on their websites. Beijing Tong Ren Tang and Tianjin Pharmaceutical group did not respond to several emails and calls from Reuters asking for comment. Jilin Aodong Pharmaceutical Group could not be reached for comment. The environmental group said Deutsche Bank, HSBC Holdings, Citigroup and BlackRock did not respond to its queries.

Persons: pangolin, Seun, Beijing Tong Ren Tang, Avinash Basker, Wells, China's, Andrew Silver, Selena Li, Miyoung Kim Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, UBS, HSBC, Environmental Investigation Agency, Tianjin Pharmaceutical, Jilin Aodong Pharmaceutical, TCM, Deutsche Bank, HSBC Holdings, Citigroup, BlackRock, & Co, HSBC Global Asset Management Canada, Royal Bank of Canada, Citigroup ， Deutsche Bank, Reuters, Medical Products Administration, Protection, Thomson Locations: Lagos, Nigeria, Rights SHANGHAI, HONG KONG, London, Beijing, Tianjin, Jilin, Shanghai, Hong Kong

A construction site of residential buildings by Chinese developer Country Garden is pictured in Tianjin, China August 18, 2023. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSYDNEY/LONDON, Oct 19 (Reuters) - A major group of Country Garden (2007.HK) offshore bondholders has appointed PJT Partners (PJT.N) as financial advisors to lead discussions with the troubled Chinese property developer, according to two sources with knowledge of the matter. Bondholders have been seeking urgent talks with the company since it missed a $15 million coupon repayment on Wednesday, putting it at risk of default. Country Garden did not immediately respond to a request to comment made outside of business hours. Reporting Scott Murdoch in Sydney and Anousha Sakoui in London, editing by Karin StroheckerOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Tingshu Wang, PJT, Scott Murdoch, Anousha, Karin Strohecker Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, PJT Partners, Thomson Locations: Tianjin, China, LONDON, HK, Sydney, London

☆ China's measures to shore up its indebted property sector
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The following is a list of recent measures for the sector which accounts for roughly a quarter of the world's second-largest economy. Sept. 14 - China's central bank said it would cut the amount of cash that banks must hold as reserves for the second time this year to boost liquidity. Aug. 31 - China's central bank and financial regulator ease some borrowing rules for homebuyers, including lowering existing mortgage rates for first-home buyers and the down payment ratio in some cities. July 10 - China's central bank extended until the end of 2024 some policies in a November rescue package to shore up the real estate sector. June 20- China's central bank cut its key lending benchmarks, or loan prime rates (LPRs), for the first time in 10 months.

Persons: Tingshu Wang, Liangping Gao, Ryan Woo, Edwina Gibbs Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Xinhua, Thomson Locations: Tianjin, China, Rights BEIJING, Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, megacities

☆ Exclusive: China tells banks to roll over local government debts as risks mount - sources
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

Local government debt reached 92 trillion yuan ($12.58 trillion), or 76% of the country's economic output in 2022, up from 62.2% in 2019. Reuters is reporting these measures for banks to defuse local debt risks for the first time. Banks are being encouraged to issue new loans to LGFVs to repay bonds and non-standard debt, the sources said. And, Chinese investors are rushing to buy bonds of LGFVs, including from the riskiest issuers, as Beijing's attempts to reduce local debt risks encourages them to bet on an implicit government guarantee. Over 2.1 trillion yuan LGFV bonds matured in the first half of 2023, and another 1.75 trillion yuan in the second half of this year and 1.69 trillion yuan in the first half of 2024, the highest maturity pressure in history, the note said.

Persons: Tyrone Siu, ”, National Financial Regulatory Administration didn't, Banks, CLIFF LGFVs, LGFVs, Simon Cameron, Moore, Kim Coghill Organizations: AIA Central, China Construction Bank, Bank of China, Cheung, Cheung Kong Centre, HSBC, Standard Chartered Bank, REUTERS, Rights, People's Bank of China, Reuters, Treasury, National Financial Regulatory Administration, Communist Party, ANZ Research, UBS, Financial, Beijing, Shanghai, Thomson Locations: Cheung Kong, Hong Kong, China, Rights BEIJING, Beijing, Tianjin, Guizhou, Guangxi

Those shipments sometimes accounted for more than half of Chinese malting barley demand, depending on the year. "The return of Australian barley means everyone will be happier," said Miller Meng, brewmaster at Shanghai craft beer bar, The Brew. "Australian malt in the market return prices back on the right track," he said. But in the absence of Australian malting barley, many Chinese craft brewers turned to alternatives such as French or Canadian malt. That meant a perilous thinning of margins and the hope is that Australian imports will reverse this trend, craft brewers told Reuters.

Persons: Miller Meng, brewmaster, Trueman, Yang Zhenglong, Matthew Jimenez, Duvel, Casey, Dominique Patton, Peter Hobson, Edwina Gibbs Organizations: Canberra, EqualOcean International, Reuters, Casey Hall, Thomson Locations: SHANGHAI, BEIJING, China, Shanghai, Tianjin, Mongolia, Ukraine, Australian, Australia, Europe, Saudi Arabia, Beijing, Canberra

Xie Xuguang, from CNOOC Gas and Power Group's research centre, told a conference on Thursday that China's total gas demand may reach 396.4 billion cubic metres (bcm) this year. "We're expecting industrial gas demand to recover in the second half. Gas demand growth this year was seen at between 5.7% and 7.4%, according to estimates this week by ICIS, Energy Aspects and SIA Energy. China's total gas demand was forecast to peak in 2040 at 700 bcm, Xie added, echoing a previous forecast by state major Sinopec. Imports of both piped gas and liquefied natural gas were both expected to increase to meet rising domestic demand.

Persons: Stringer, Xie Xuguang, Xie, CNOOC, Andrew Hayley, Chen Aizhu, Christian Schmollinger, Michael Perry Organizations: Sinopec, Inner, Inner Mongolia Autonomous, REUTERS, CNOOC Gas, Power, ICIS, SIA Energy, Imports, Thomson Locations: Erdos, Inner Mongolia, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China, TIANJIN, Japan, Russia's, Siberia, Russia

[1/2] Visitors look at displays of military aircraft and a ground-to-ground missile at the Military Museum of the Chinese People's Revolution in Beijing, China October 8, 2022. A Chinese military expert told Reuters the high-powered engine, shown for the first time, is key to China's development of medium- and heavyweight helicopters. It could be used as an aircraft carrier escort. Western analysts have noted that China has lagged behind in anti-submarine warfare, which are vital to protect long-range aircraft carrier operations. A media report quoted a Chinese military expert as saying the new frigate can serve as a "mini destroyer".

Persons: Florence Lo, Albee Zhang, Greg Torode, Ryan Woo, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Military Museum of, REUTERS, NEW, Reuters, China, WS, PREPPING, People's Liberation Army Navy, Thomson Locations: Beijing, China, Taiwan, Tianjin, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Guangzhou, U.S, South Korea, Japan, Guam, Fujian

☆ Moody's cuts China property sector's outlook to negative
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A construction site of residential buildings by Chinese developer Country Garden is pictured in Tianjin, China August 18, 2023. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSept 14 (Reuters) - Moody's on Thursday cut China's crisis-hit property sector's outlook to negative from stable, citing economic growth challenges the ratings agency said would dampen sales despite government support. China Evergrande Group (3333.HK), the world's most indebted property developer, is at the centre of the crisis. The crisis has also engulfed China's largest private property developer Country Garden Holdings Co (2007.HK), which has been battling to avoid a default, having won approval from its creditors this week to extend the maturity of several onshore bonds. Credit stress at Country Garden, which Moody's rates as Ca with a negative outlook, has amplified investors' risk aversion, Cedric Lai, an analyst at the agency said in a statement.

Persons: Tingshu Wang, Moody's, Cedric Lai, Dimpal Gulwani, Jacqueline Wong, Jamie Freed Organizations: REUTERS, China Evergrande, HK, Garden Holdings, Thomson Locations: Tianjin, China, China's

☆ How Luckin Coffee overtook Starbucks as the largest coffee chain in China
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( Sheila Chiang | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

SHENZHEN, CHINA - 2020/10/05: Chinese coffee shop chain Luckin Coffee logo seen at a store. Founded in 2017, Luckin Coffee burst onto the Chinese coffee scene to challenge Starbucks through affordable coffee options and mobile ordering. China is Starbucks' second-largest market after the U.S. Luckin Coffee grew to 10,829 stores in China at the end of June, surpassing Starbucks as the largest coffee chain brand in the country following what one analyst calls an "aggressive" expansion. Meanwhile, Starbucks' stores worldwide are company-owned and the American coffee chain does not franchise operations, according to its website. The Chinese coffee chain said that it sold 5.42 million Moutai alcohol-infused lattes on the first day of its launch.

Persons: Alex Tai, Li, Rahul Maheshwari, Luckin, Vivian Leung, Zhang Peng, Price, it's, Jianggan Li, Leung, Kweichow Moutai, Moutai, Shawn Yang, Yang, latte Organizations: Getty, Starbucks, U.S, Luckin, Momentum, Coffee, CNBC, Lightrocket, Brand Finance, Blue Lotus Research Institute Locations: SHENZHEN, CHINA, China, Singapore, Guangzhou, TIANJIN, Asia, Beijing

☆ Nanjing scraps home-buying curbs in China's latest property boost
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

China's authorities in recent weeks have rolled out a series of measures, such as easing borrowing rules, to support the debt-riddled property sector, which accounts for one-quarter of China's economic activity, but analysts say the steps are unlikely to reverse the slide. China's property sector has been on a downward spiral since 2021, when the government took steps to stop developers from accumulating debt. Nanjing's move indicates property easing will continue, playing an important role in stimulating home-buying and changing expectations in the sector, Yan said. Many smaller locales have eased home-purchase curbs over the past two years, but major cities - traditional targets of speculative buying - had held off. Nanjing also cut the maximum down payments for first home purchases to 20% from 30% for commercial mortgages, state broadcaster CCTV said on Thursday, compared to 30% to 35% in most major cities.

Persons: Tingshu Wang, Yan Yuejin, Yan, Liangping Gao, Ryan Woo, William Mallard Organizations: REUTERS, Garden Holdings, Reuters, China Research, Development Institution, Thomson Locations: Tianjin, China, BEIJING, Nanjing, Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen

Country Garden also offered on Tuesday to extend repayment of eight onshore bonds worth 10.8 billion yuan ($1.48 billion) by three years, according to people with knowledge of the matter and documents seen by Reuters. Country Garden did not respond to a request for comment. A general view of a construction site of residential buildings by Chinese developer Country Garden in Tianjin, China August 18, 2023. Country Garden has not missed a debt payment obligation, onshore or offshore. "The three-year extension of maturity offered by Country Garden looks better than restructuring plans by most of the other troubled developers," Meng said.

Persons: Gary Ng, Tingshu Wang, Susannah Streeter, Hargreaves Lansdown, DODGE, CreditSights, Ting Meng, Meng, Xie Yu, Shuyan Wang, Jason Xue, Sumeet Chatterjee, Christopher Cushing, Kim Coghill Organizations: HK, Reuters, Country, Natixis Asia Pacific, REUTERS, Services, Global, Hargreaves, Mainland Properties, CSI, ANZ, Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, BEIJING, Tianjin, China, Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Bengaluru

☆ Country Garden set to open up 5.6% after deal to extend onshore bond payment
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

A construction site of residential buildings by Chinese developer Country Garden is pictured in Tianjin, China August 18, 2023. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSept 4 (Reuters) - Shares of Country Garden Holdings Co Ltd (2007.HK) were set to open up 5.6% on Monday after the embattled Chinese developer won approval from its creditors to extend payments for an onshore private bond. The stock was set to open at HK$0.94. That compared to a 1.1% rise in the benchmark Hang Seng Index (.HSI) and a 3.6% jump in Hang Seng Mainland Properties Index (.HSMPI). Reporting by Donny Kwok; Editing by Kim CoghillOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Tingshu Wang, Donny Kwok, Kim Coghill Organizations: REUTERS, Garden Holdings Co, HK, Hang Seng Mainland Properties, Thomson Locations: Tianjin, China, Hang Seng

☆ China to Its People: Spies Are Everywhere, Help Us Catch Them
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-02 | by ( Vivian Wang | More About Vivian Wang | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Beijing sees forces bent on weakening it everywhere: embedded in multinational companies, infiltrating social media, circling naïve students. Chinese universities require faculty to take courses on protecting state secrets, even in departments like veterinary medicine. A kindergarten in the eastern city of Tianjin organized a meeting to teach staffers how to “understand and use” China’s anti-espionage law. Its first post: a call for a “whole of society mobilization” against espionage. The country’s economy is facing its worst slowdown in years, but China’s authoritarian leader, Xi Jinping, appears more fixated on national security and preventing threats to the party’s control.

Persons: China’s, Xi Jinping Organizations: China’s Ministry of State Security, Communist Party Locations: Beijing, Tianjin

☆ Country Garden faces key test as onshore bondholders set to vote on extension
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A construction site of residential buildings by Chinese developer Country Garden is pictured in Tianjin, China August 18, 2023. On Wednesday, the company - China's largest private developer - posted a staggering $6.7 billion in first-half losses and warned of default risks. Country Garden has been talking with its onshore creditors to extend a 3.9 billion yuan ($535.4 million) private bond due on Saturday. According to the extension plan, Country Garden will repay the onshore private bond in seven installments ending in September 2026. ($1 = 7.2838 Chinese yuan renminbi)Reporting by Xie Yu; Editing by Anne Marie Roantree and Jacqueline WongOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Tingshu Wang, HONG KONG, Xie Yu, Anne Marie Roantree, Jacqueline Wong Organizations: REUTERS, HK, Thomson Locations: Tianjin, China, HONG, Hong Kong

☆ China new home prices growth likely flat in 2023, dragging on economy - Reuters poll
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-28 | by ( Liangping Gao | Ryan Woo | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

FILE PHOTO: A construction site of residential buildings by Chinese developer Country Garden is pictured in Tianjin, China August 18, 2023. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang/File PhotoThe expected 0% year-on-year growth in home prices compared with a 1.4% gain tipped in the previous forecast in May, a Reuters poll of 12 economists conducted from Aug. 16-25 showed. “It is estimated that every one percentage point decline in property investment may drag down the GDP growth rate by 0.1 percentage points,” said analyst Ma Hong at Zhixin Investment Research Institute. China observers are sceptical that the property sector could turn a corner in the near term despite Beijing’s support measures. The government has suspended publishing data on youth unemployment, which has hit record highs in what analysts say is partly a symptom of regulatory crackdowns on big employers in real estate and other industries.

Persons: Tingshu Wang, Wang Xingping, Fitch Bohua, ”, Ma Hong, Gao Yuhong, Xing Zhaopeng Organizations: REUTERS, Fitch, Authorities, Zhixin Investment Research Institute Locations: BEIJING, Tianjin, China, “

A construction site of residential buildings by Chinese developer Country Garden is pictured in Tianjin, China August 18, 2023. The expected 0% year-on-year growth in home prices compared with a 1.4% gain tipped in the previous forecast in May, a Reuters poll of 12 economists conducted from Aug. 16-25 showed. "It is estimated that every one percentage point decline in property investment may drag down the GDP growth rate by 0.1 percentage points," said analyst Ma Hong at Zhixin Investment Research Institute. China observers are sceptical that the property sector could turn a corner in the near term despite Beijing's support measures. The government has suspended publishing data on youth unemployment, which has hit record highs in what analysts say is partly a symptom of regulatory crackdowns on big employers in real estate and other industries.

Persons: Tingshu Wang, Wang Xingping, Fitch Bohua, Ma Hong, Gao Yuhong, Xing Zhaopeng, Liangping Gao, Ryan Woo, Shuyan Wang, Shri Navaratnam Organizations: REUTERS, Fitch, Authorities, Zhixin Investment Research Institute, Thomson Locations: Tianjin, China, BEIJING

☆ Centaline says mainland China unit has 'huge' unpaid developers' commissions
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A sign of Centaline Property is pictured at the company's office in Tianjin, China August 18, 2023. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang Acquire Licensing RightsBEIJING, Aug 26 (Reuters) - Centaline Property has said its mainland China unit is owed a huge amount of unpaid commissions and so it cannot pay employees their commissions, responding to reports of delayed payments to the unit by developers including the embattled Evergrande. The Hong Kong property agency's mainland arm, Centaline Property Agency (Shenzhen), has not recovered some commission fees as property developers grapple with the debt crisis and liquidity crunch, Centaline said in a statement on Friday. "The current amount of unpaid commissions from developers and agents is huge and Centaline Property is not in a position to advance them to its employees," the company said. The Shenzhen unit has paid fixed salaries up to July, Centaline said, adding that all of units were operating normally and it would not withdraw from the mainland China market.

Persons: Tingshu Wang, Centaline, Liu Tianyang, Ella Cao, Ryan Woo, Robert Birsel Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Centaline Property Agency, Securities Times, Thomson Locations: Tianjin, China, Rights BEIJING, Hong Kong, Shenzhen

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